# Ylang Ylang essential oil > A rich, floral single oil steam-distilled from tropical flowers, known for its heady, exotic aroma. Canonical page: https://essential-oils.club/oils/single/ylang-ylang Type: Single oil ## At a glance - **Botanical name:** Cananga odorata - **Plant part:** Flowers - **Extraction:** Steam-distilled - **Aroma:** Rich, sweet floral - **Origin:** Madagascar and the Comoro Islands - **Blends with:** Orange, bergamot, sandalwood, vanilla ## Composition (GC-MS research aggregate) Based on 21 GC-MS samples from 8 peer-reviewed papers (2014–2026); Moderate evidence base. 88 compounds reported in total. Typical share of the oil (median, with interquartile range): | Compound | Class | Median % | IQR % | Max % | Papers | |---|---|---|---|---|---| | β-caryophyllene | Sesquiterpene hydrocarbon | 10.81 | 7.26–14.88 | 17.01 | 6 | | α-farnesene | Sesquiterpene hydrocarbon | 7.79 | 5.3–17.28 | 25.7 | 8 | | benzyl acetate | Phenylpropanoid / aromatic | 9.9 | 1.14–19.64 | 20.22 | 6 | | benzyl benzoate | Phenylpropanoid / aromatic | 7.08 | 4.45–7.72 | 11.39 | 7 | | linalool | Oxygenated monoterpene | 5.59 | 1.87–7.65 | 15.23 | 8 | | methyl benzoate | Oxygenated monoterpene | 7.64 | 2.6–8.39 | 8.79 | 5 | | germacrene d | Sesquiterpene hydrocarbon | 5.8 | 5.66–11.28 | 19.25 | 5 | | benzyl salicylate | Aliphatic / small aromatic | 2.94 | 0.78–3.33 | 4.47 | 7 | | cinnamyl acetate | Phenylpropanoid / aromatic | 6.05 | 3.06–6.68 | 7.31 | 3 | | geranyl acetate | Oxygenated monoterpene | 3.32 | 1.31–7.31 | 9.46 | 5 | | α-humulene | Sesquiterpene hydrocarbon | 1.87 | 1.1–3.86 | 5.97 | 6 | | δ-cadinene | Sesquiterpene hydrocarbon | 0.98 | 0.68–3.31 | 4.86 | 7 | Chemotypes seen in the samples: benzyl acetate (57% of samples), α-farnesene (14% of samples), benzyl benzoate (10% of samples). ## Key constituents - **Germacrene D** — A major sesquiterpene contributing to the rich, heady floral depth - **Beta-caryophyllene** — Woody-spicy note that supports the floral character - **Benzyl acetate** — Sweet floral ester that adds to the exotic top notes ## How to use it - **In the diffuser:** Start with 2–4 drops — it's potent; pair with a citrus oil to lift the heaviness. - **On skin:** Dilute to around 1% in a carrier oil for hair and skincare blends. ## Safety - For topical use, dilute in a carrier oil and keep out of reach of children. - Maximum dermal use: ~0.8% on skin. - Can cause skin sensitisation in some people — dilute and patch-test, especially with the richer 'Extra' grade. - Its heady aroma can trigger headaches or nausea if overused; go light in the diffuser. - Not phototoxic. Keep out of reach of children. ## What the research says - Ylang ylang is a common subject of aromatherapy and composition reviews, with its floral profile built on linalool, esters, and sesquiterpenes. Mood and relaxation uses are traditional and preliminary, not clinically established. — Tan et al. (2026), Molecules (https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules31183146) ## Evidence - Ylang ylang's composition varies by distillation grade, but linalool, geranyl acetate, germacrene D, and benzyl acetate are consistent key contributors to its rich floral aroma. — Tan et al. (2026), Molecules (https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules31183146) ## Frequently asked questions ### Why do ylang ylang oils vary so much? Ylang ylang is distilled in stages, and the fractions are graded (Extra, I, II, III). The earliest 'Extra' fraction is the richest and most floral; later fractions are heavier and less refined, so bottles differ by grade. ### Can ylang ylang give me a headache? Its intense, sweet floral aroma is overpowering for some people and can cause headaches or nausea if overused. Use just a drop or two and blend it with a citrus or wood note. ### Is ylang ylang safe on skin? Usually, when diluted — but it can sensitise some people, and it contains linalool, a recognised allergen. Dilute to under about 1% and patch-test first. ## Sources (GC-MS studies) - Chakira A, Soria C, Minier J, Chillet M, Garcia C. Effect of Flower Storage and Harvest Times on the Dynamics of Volatile Compounds in Ylang-Ylang [<i>Cananga odorata</i> (Lam.) Hook.f. &Thomson] Essential Oil. _Plants (Basel, Switzerland)_, 2026. https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC13030042 - Chakira A, Soria C, Lallemand L, Mares G, Chillet M, Garcia C. Improving the Quality of Ylang-Ylang Essential Oils [<i>Cananga odorata</i> (Lam.) Hook.f. &Thomson] Through Microwave-Assisted Extraction Compared to Conventional Extraction Methods. _Plants (Basel, Switzerland)_, 2025. https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC12567001 - Mrani SA, Zejli H, Azzouni D, Fadili D, Alanazi MM, Hassane SOS, Sabbahi R, Kabra A, Moussaoui AE, Hammouti B, Taleb M. Chemical Composition, Antioxidant, Antibacterial, and Hemolytic Properties of Ylang-Ylang (Cananga odorata) Essential Oil: Potential Therapeutic Applications in Dermatology. _Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)_, 2024. https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC11510078 - Jin J, Kim MJ, Dhandapani S, Tjhang JG, Yin JL, Wong L, Sarojam R, Chua NH, Jang IC. The floral transcriptome of ylang ylang (Cananga odorata var. fruticosa) uncovers biosynthetic pathways for volatile organic compounds and a multifunctional and novel sesquiterpene synthase. _Journal of experimental botany_, 2015. https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC4473991 - Kasarci-Kavsara G, Barak TH, Ertugrul B, Senturk TB, Cakmakoglu B, Bireller S. Ylang Ylang Essential Oil in Malignant and Non-Malignant Cells: Comparative Mitophagy-Related Transcriptional Responses. _Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)_, 2026. https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC13414485 - EFSA Panel on Additives, Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP), Bampidis V, Azimonti G, Bastos ML, Christensen H, Fašmon Durjava M, Kouba M, López-Alonso M, López Puente S, Marcon F, Mayo B, Pechová A, Petkova M, Ramos F, Ramos F, Sanz Y, Villa RE, Woutersen R, Brantom P, Chesson A, Westendorf J, Manini P, Pizzo F, Dusemund B. Safety and efficacy of a feed additive consisting of an essential oil from the flowers of Cananga odorata (Lam.) Hook.f. & Thomson (ylang ylang oil) for use in all animal species (FEFANA asbl). _EFSA journal. European Food Safety Authority_, 2022. https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC8867525 - de Freitas Junior RA, Lossavaro PKMB, Kassuya CAL, Paredes-Gamero EJ, Farias Júnior NC, Souza MIL, Silva-Comar FMS, Cuman RKN, Silva DB, Toffoli-Kadri MC, Silva-Filho SE. Effect of Ylang-Ylang (Cananga odorata Hook. F. & Thomson) Essential Oil on Acute Inflammatory Response In Vitro and In Vivo. _Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)_, 2022. https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC9231162 - Qin XW, Hao CY, He SZ, Wu G, Tan LH, Xu F, Hu RS. Volatile organic compound emissions from different stages of Cananga odorata flower development. _Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)_, 2014. https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC6270805 _Educational reference only — not medical advice. Essential oils are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease._